Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)

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Form ID: 3936

Respondent: Mrs Eve Martin

The Council could consider setting local standards for development that go beyond national policy/regulations in addressing climate change. What evidence would justify this approach, and what standards would be appropriate?

Medway does not exist in a bubble and gold standard policy will be meaningless if the rest of the South East doesn't do likewise. I'd like to see more regional cooperation.

Do you consider that the Council should seek to go beyond the statutory minimum of a 10% increase in BNG?

What evidence can you provide to support your view?

In my opinion thisxwill be unsustainable in the short term and meaningless unless we have a specific plan for what we want to achieve. This can't be left to developers unless the Council can enforce their compliance.

Do you agree that the tariff based strategic approach applied to development within 6 km of the designated areas, supporting the delivery of the Bird Wise SAMMS programme represents an effective means of addressing the potential impact of recreational disturbance on the designated SPA and Ramsar habitats of the Thames, Medway and Swale Estuaries and Marshes.

Only if you get the money up front

Do you consider that Medway Council should identify landscapes of local value as an additional designation in the new Local Plan?

Yes

What should be the criteria for designation? Are there areas that you would identify as justifying a local valued landscape designation – where and why?

I don't think you can look at landscape in isolation. For example, Brownfield sites do not look pretty but they support jobs - the economic life of Medway is essential to address poverty. I'd like to see more trees planted in brownfield/ urban areas.

Do you agree that the Council should promote Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework standards in the Medway Local Plan policy?

Yes

Has the draft Medway Green and Blue Infrastructure Framework identified the correct key issues and assets, and provide effective guidance for strengthening Medway’s green infrastructure?

No. I don't think this is the approach will work. We need greening everywhere not just in pockets or pathways - as a demonstrably effective method of handling climate change

Do you consider the Green Belt boundary should be revised in line with the recommendations in the 2018 Green Belt Assessment?

Yes but again, this can't be done in isolation. It has to be done sympathetically so that the new development is seen as an asset not an unnecessary drain on the area. Developers have to be held to account on this so there will need to be clearer information on changes to plans so that local people have a proper say in what is being proposed

Do you consider that exceptional circumstances exist to justify review of the Green Belt boundary?

Yes

Form ID: 3965

Respondent: Mrs Eve Martin

Do you think this policy provides effective guidance on the required housing mix in Medway?

No. We don't need any more high rise blocks of flats.

Do you agree with having a 10% requirement for affordable housing on urban brownfield sites and 30% requirement for affordable housing on greenfield sites and higher value urban locations?

No. It's a bit too simplistic. Why not allocate these as the minimum affordable housing but retain the ability to require a higher proportion. Also, affordable housing should be houses not flats so that people can't be hit with excessive leasehold or maintenance charges. Obviously this impacts on the amount that developers can borrow against the development that's just the way it works but some corporate social responsibility wouldn't go amiss

What do you consider would represent an effective alternative approach? Do you agree with a varied approach for affordable housing requirements based on the different value areas across Medway?

No this is a terrible approach that will create pockets of deprivation

What do you consider would represent an effective split of tenures between social/affordable rent and intermediate/low-cost home ownership housing in delivering affordable housing?

Ideally people should have the opportunity to buy their own homes because there is no security for renters at the moment. Realistically, shared ownership is the only way they will be able to afford to buy.

What do you consider would represent an effective split of tenures between social/affordable rent and intermediate/low-cost home ownership housing in delivering affordable housing?

20%/80%

Do you have views on defining the limits to over-concentration of HMOs in a community? What criteria would be recommended?

HMOs are cash cows for their owners so they should be made to meet standards of safety, health and maintenance.

Do you have any sites you wish to promote for self-build allocation?

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